Leao and Maignan the difference as Milan defeats Roma

ROME — Rafael Leao hasn't displayed this kind of form with regularity since he was Serie A's MVP four seasons ago and led AC Milan to the league title.

Mike Maignan also emphasized his importance to the Rossoneri on Sunday at the San Siro.

A burst of speed from Leao led to the only goal, and Maignan preserved the advantage by saving a penalty kick from Paulo Dybala late in the second half of a 1-0 victory over Roma.

Shortly before the break, Leao accelerated from the left flank on a counterattack and pulled back for Strahinja Pavlovic to tap in.

Milan could have doubled its lead minutes later, but Youssouf Fofana fired wide.

Leao also created several more chances, with a one-handed save from Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar denying him in the second half.

Milan had the upper hand, pressing relentlessly in search of a second goal.

Minutes after the hour mark, Leao had a golden chance to score from a tight angle, but Roma defender Mario Hermoso was called into action with a goal-line clearance to deny him.

Maignan then denied Dybala by lunging to his left to push the Roma playmaker's effort away.

Making matters worse for Roma was that Dybala appeared to injure himself while taking the penalty and had to exit the match in the final minutes.

He had converted all 18 of his previous penalties with Roma.

Pavlovic's goal prevented the capital club from taking top spot in Serie A on Sunday, while Inter Milan needed a late own goal to beat Verona.

Roma was hoping to move two points clear at the top, after reigning champion and leader Napoli was held to a goalless draw on Saturday by Como.

But Pavlovic's strike and the missed penalty ensured Milan instead climbed into third place, level on points with both second-placed Inter and Roma, which dropped to fourth.

Napoli is currently a point ahead of that trio.

Massimiliano Allegri's Milan is still unbeaten since a surprise home loss to Cremonese on the opening day of the season.

"It is too early to start dreaming, it's only November," Milan goalkeeper Maignan told DAZN.

"We have a good squad, we are united, we just need to take it one game at a time and not say we are challenging for the Scudetto right now. Of course, we want to win everything, but it's early days."

Roma, targeting a first Scudetto since 2001 this term under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saw its 100-percent record on the road in the league ended.

"They couldn't score against us before, and couldn't score from a penalty either, so we knew we could go on and win this," said Leao.

"I think we created more chances, and we are proud of this performance as well as the points."

Leao missed the opening month of the season because of a calf injury, but has returned to form while the Rossoneri are without Christian Pulisic, who is now out with an injured right hamstring. Leao now has three goals and an assist in his last four matches.

Inter climbs to second

Inter Milan was handed a 2-1 win at Verona.

Winless so far this season, Verona fell behind in the 16th minute when Inter's Piotr Zielinski thundered home a volley from a poorly cleared corner.

Brazilian center-forward Giovane leveled for Verona on 40 minutes.

It appeared the game would peter out during a second half played in relentless rain, until a late cross from Nicolo Barella was turned agonizingly into his own net by Verona defender Martin Frese three minutes into added time.

"It was one of those matches that's easier to lose than win, but we did okay, we showed character," said Inter coach Cristian Chivu.

Struggling Fiorentina lost 1-0 at home to Lecce and remains winless in 10 Serie A games, while Torino and Pisa drew 2-2.

Fiorentina has not been relegated since being promoted from Serie B in 2004.

On Saturday, Luciano Spalletti made a winning start to life as Juventus coach when his new team beat Cremonese 2-1, despite a late goal from Jamie Vardy.

Agencies